it was likely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was likely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a probability or expectation regarding a past event or situation. Example: "Given the circumstances, it was likely that they would arrive late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Mr. Guéant answered that "it was likely" to be one.

The New York Times

State investigators found that it was likely an "unprescribed medication".

Huffington Post

It was likely retrofitted to the tale.

The New York Times

It was likely adapted from Hinduism.

Britannica

Unsigned, it was likely written by Wolcott Gibbs.

The New Yorker

It was likely to be completed by mid-February.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

It's likely.

Independent

It is likely to stop.

The Economist

It is likely to pass.

The Economist

It is likely to happen.

The Economist

It is likely to be West.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was likely" to express a reasoned judgment about a past event based on available information. Ensure the context provides enough evidence to support the likelihood.

Common error

Avoid using "it was likely" when the evidence strongly confirms or denies the event. Opt for more definitive language like "it was certain" or "it was not possible" to accurately reflect the level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was likely" functions as an evidential marker, indicating a degree of probability or reasoned inference about a past event or situation. It suggests a conclusion drawn from available evidence, as illustrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

21%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was likely" is a versatile phrase used to express a moderate degree of probability regarding a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While alternatives like "it was probable" and "it was expected" offer subtle variations in meaning, the key is to ensure the chosen phrase aligns with the context and intended level of certainty. It's important to not use "it was likely" when there is strong evidence because you would be understating the certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was probable

This alternative suggests a strong chance of something happening, similar to "it was likely" but may imply a slightly higher degree of certainty.

it was expected

This phrase indicates anticipation based on prior knowledge or circumstances. The difference between "it was expected" and "it was likely" resides in a stronger level of anticipation.

it was anticipated

Similar to "it was expected", but may imply a more formal or predictive assessment.

it seemed likely

This version uses "seemed" to add an element of perception or impression, making it slightly less direct.

it appeared likely

Similar to "it seemed likely", this emphasizes an observation-based assessment.

chances were

This idiom is more informal and suggests a general possibility without specific evidence.

it is plausible

This alternative introduces a degree of believability or credibility but can sometimes be used when the truth is hidden. "It was likely" suggests you expect something to occur, whilst "it is plausible" that something could hypothetically happen.

it is conceivable

Suggests something is imaginable or possible, but doesn't necessarily indicate a high probability.

it is within the realm of possibility

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the theoretical possibility of something happening.

it is not out of the question

Expresses that something is possible, though perhaps not highly probable or desirable.

FAQs

How can I use "it was likely" in a sentence?

Use "it was likely" to suggest a reasonable possibility or expectation based on the available information. For example, "Given the weather conditions, "it was likely" the flight would be delayed."

What are some alternatives to "it was likely"?

You can use alternatives like "it was probable", "it was expected", or "it seemed likely" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was likely" formal or informal?

"It was likely" is generally considered neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "it was anticipated" for academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "it was likely" and "it was possible"?

"It was likely" suggests a higher degree of probability than "it was possible". "It was possible" simply means something could have happened, while "it was likely" indicates it probably did.